As part of their annual Onam Festival Celebration, the Ghana Indian-Malayalee Association (GIMA), in collaboration with Dunamis Shipping & Logistics and Fly Dreams Travels, organized a thrilling one-day cricket tournament on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the Accra Academy AstroTurf.
In an event that blended culture, sportsmanship, and fun, Vamananum Padayalikalum (Vama Pada) emerged champions after a remarkable 5-wicket victory over Thiruvonam Titans in the grand finale.
Vama Pada finished third in the single round-robin stage with 4 points, before stepping up in the semifinals to crush Maveli Smashers by 9 wickets. Maveli managed just 39/6 in the first innings, before Vama chased it down in just 2.2 overs, scoring 40 runs without losing a wicket — thanks to Sajeev Sundharesan (19 off 9) and Mukesh Mohan (20 off 5).
In the grand finale, Thiruvonam Titans posted 51/8 in the first innings, but Mukesh once again led from the front, steering Vama Pada to 54/3 in 4.4 overs, sealing a tense but well-deserved victory.
The tournament, which featured six teams (Vama Pada, Thiruvonam Titans, Maveli Smashers, Pathalam Pathinonnu, Thalunadan Angacharkavanmar, and Onathumbikal @ 50) also saw women players exhibiting their cricketing skills to the delight of fans and sponsors.
Several outstanding performers were honored at the closing ceremony.
- Rahul Cherupoika (Thiruvonam Titans) won Best Batter with 117 runs in 4 innings and also claimed the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with 18.49 points.
- Mukesh Mohan (Vama Pada) took home the Best Bowler award with 6 wickets at an economy rate of 8.80, narrowly missing the MVP by a margin of 0.12 points.
- Sajeev, also of Vama Pada, was named Best Fielder after recording 11 dismissals and 3 catches behind the stumps.
In total, 11 matches were played, producing 1,062 runs, 83 wickets, 100 sixes, and 38 fours; a true display of explosive cricket. Only one player reached a half-century, Rahul’s commanding knock that stood out among many great moments.
The day proved that an Onam celebration in Ghana would be incomplete without cricket; a sport so deeply loved by the Indian-Malayalee community and their friends.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
